A timeline of Roman Polanski’s 4-decade underage sex case

April 4, 2017 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The case involving Roman Polanski, who fled the United States after he forced himself on a teenage girl during a photo shoot, has spanned more than 40 years, sparking court battles on both sides of the Atlantic. The Oscar winner remains a fugitive and has repeatedly requested that a court end the case without his presence. Meanwhile, prosecutors have repeatedly sought his extradition so the case can end with his sentencing. A ruling Monday failed to provide Polanski what he has wanted for years — an avenue to end the case from afar.

Here are some key dates in the long-running court saga:

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March 10, 1977 — Roman Polanski conducts a photo shoot with a 13-year-old girl at Jack Nicholson’s house. As she later testifies, Polanski gives the girl champagne and part of a sedative during the shoot, then forced her to have sex. She says she repeatedly told Polanski no during intercourse, but says she did not fight him because she was afraid of him. The girl’s mother calls police after finding out what happened.

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March 24, 1977 — A grand jury indicts Polanski on six felony charges, including rape, furnishing a controlled substance to a minor and sodomy. He later pleads not guilty at arraignment.

August 1977 — Polanski pleads guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and a judge orders the director to undergo further proceedings.

September 1977 — A judge orders the director to undergo a 90-day diagnostic screening at a California state prison to help determine sentencing.

January 1978 — The diagnostic screening — completed after 42 days — recommends Polanski be placed on probation.

Feb. 1, 1978 — Polanski flees the United States on eve of sentencing after learning that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laurence Rittenband intended to send Polanski back to prison. An arrest warrant is issued, confining Polanski’s movements to France, Poland and Switzerland. Polanski alleges Rittenband met with a prosecutor who was not assigned to the case — without Polanski’s lawyer present — to discuss sentencing.

September 1997 — A new judge meets with prosecutors and Polanski’s attorney to discuss the case in chambers. The meeting is not reported, and elements of the discussion remain in dispute. Polanski’s attorney contends the judge wanted Polanski’s sentencing hearing televised, which the judge denies. Prosecutors contend Polanski sought to be sentenced without reporters present, which the director denies.

December 2016 — The Polish Supreme Court rules Polanski will not be extradited to the United States.

February 2017 — Polanski’s attorney seeks an order in Los Angeles to unseal Gunson’s testimony. Later motions by Polanski seek an order confirming the director should not serve any additional time behind bars if he returns to Los Angeles. Polanski’s lawyer relies on information included in a lengthy Polish court decision.

April 2017 — A Los Angeles judge rejects Polanski’s requests to be sentenced without returning to court or for a determination he has served his sentence.